newsletter of the Peoria Public Library Volume 25, No. 2
New Procedure Puts Peoria Library Cardholders First As 2016 begins, Peoria Public Library has implemented a system of only allowing online holds of new materials to be placed by those with a Peoria Public Library card for the first four months. In the past, anyone in our reciprocal borrowing system could place holds on these materials online, meaning Peorians were often having to wait for new materials. Anyone can still walk in and check out new materials, but will not be able to reserve new materials from the online catalog and have them delivered to their home library. All libraries in the system do get new materials on a regular basis, however Peoria Public Library is the largest library in the area and so usually has more new materials. It is important that Peorians receive the first and best opportunity to use these new materials. Users should begin to see many more items on the “New” shelves at each branch and have a shorter wait when reserving new materials online. This will make for a better borrowing experience both for those who like to browse the shelves in person and those who like
FEBRUARY 2016
Now offering Five Free Downloads Weekly, Freegal Brings Thousands of Songs to Library Users The Peoria Public Library Streaming Music and Movie service, Freegal, has now been upgraded so that users can download five songs per week while continuing to stream up to three hours of music per day. The service is available over the internet on any device with your Peoria Public Library card number and PIN. Freegal can be downloaded as an app to your phone or other device and can be used on your computer by accessing the link on the library webpage. Look for the Freegal Free Music button on the home page. Then enter your library card number and PIN to sign in when prompted. In addition to now being able to download five songs to keep, at no charge, you can stream music from the latest pop hits to a symphony. Just search the database for the artist or song title. You can build a playlist to have on hand for your party or just to listen to yourself. Use it to liven up presentations or as the soundtrack for that long drive. By downloading five songs a week you can quickly own entire albums. For example, David Bowie’s latest songs were already available on Freegal as the world was mourning his loss. Latest hits from all genres as well as oldies and music for kids are available. Remember that Freegal is also a great source for streaming movies. No need to pay for an online or other rental when you have a library card. Try Freegal today. If you need help ask any librarian!
to search for and reserve books online. If you need help reserving materials, ask any librarian or use the tutorials in the catalog. Print bookmarks with instructions are available at all locations as well. Start your online search at www.peoriapubliclibrary.org Then click on “My Account.”
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Prohibition Comes Back to Peoria at Peoria Riverfront Museum and Peoria Public Library American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition will open at Peoria Riverfront Museum on February 20 and will remain on display through May 30, 2016. At the same time, Peoria Public Library will offer glimpses of the Prohibition Era at each location. The Peoria Riverfront Museum invites you to step back in time to an era of flappers and suffragists, bootleggers and temperance workers, and reallife legends like Al Capone and Carrie Nation. Created by the National Constitution Center, American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition is the first comprehensive exhibition about America’s most colorful and complex constitutional hiccup. Spanning from the dawn of the temperance movement, through the Roaring ’20s, to the unprecedented repeal of a constitutional amendment, this world-premiere exhibition brings the whole story of Prohibition vividly to life. American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition is curated by Daniel Okrent, Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition. Peoria Public Library will help explore this interesting time period at Lincoln Branch with a whisky barrel and images of Peoria distilleries and breweries at Lincoln Branch. At North Branch see “Carrie Nation” and learn about her famous visit to Peoria along with information about the temperance movement in Peoria. Main Library will feature images of Peoria’s “Whiskey Barons” and their homes. Lakeview Branch will have a display about prohibition and its relationship to illegal activities in Peoria during the time period with a quick look at whether Al Capone played in Peoria. McClure Branch will let visitors in on the secrets of how Peorians gained access to alcohol during prohibition and where they consumed it. An artifact with ties to the neighborhood will give a glimpse of how ordinary Peorians dealt with Prohibition. For more information about the exhibit and related events at the museum call 309.686.7000 or visit www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org. For information about the Peoria Public Library displays call 497-2000. To find books or movies about Prohibition visit the online catalog or ask any librarian.
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Book ‘Em Mystery Book Club Raises $5,000 with Murder on Whiskey Row Book ‘Em Mystery Book Club, authors of Murder on Whiskey Row, donated $5,000 to the Friends of Peoria Public Library after successful sales of the book last fall. The book was written jointly by members of the club and the money was donated in the memory of Joyce Welch, founder of Book ‘Em Mystery Book Club and moving force behind the writing of the mystery. The Book ’Em Mystery Readers book club has been meeting for 20 years to discuss murder mysteries at the Peoria Public Library. Ten years ago, the Book ‘Em Mystery Readers book club starting writing their own book, Murder on Whiskey Row. The action for the story begins at a mansion on Moss Avenue, which, in local lore, is called Whiskey Baron Row due to the many whiskey barons who built their homes on the bluff overlooking downtown Peoria in the late nineteenth, and early twentieth centuries. More of Peoria comes into play as the City of Peoria becomes one of the characters in this local story of intrigue and death. The club is always open to new members. Check the calendar for book titles and meeting dates. Copies of the book are available from the Friendly Finds Bookstore at the Main Library.
February Exhibit Examines Contributions of Leslie Kenyon & Dr. George Kottemann to Peoria by Curator Bennett Johnson
An exhibit focusing on contributions to the Peoria community made by two men who collaborated on some projects and worked independently on others: Leslie Kenyon and George Kottemann, will be on display from February 1 to 27 at Main Library in the Gallery. Photographs, awards and other documents recording their achievements will tell their stories. A reception will be held on Saturday, February 13 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Kenyon was a well-known architect, particularly noted for his efforts with the Landmark Preservation Council of Illinois and the Central Illinois Landmarks Foundation. Many of the structures he saved from demolition enrich our cityscape, and numerous such campaigns will be featured in the exhibit, including the restoration of City Hall, the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Hall and the Powell Press Building. A photograph of
Kenyon with Ladybird Johnson commemorates the Peoria City Beautiful award he earned for the Courthouse Plaza design that replaced plans for a proposed parking lot. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) awarded Kenyon a Central Illinois Preservation award. His firm, Kenyon and Associates, worked on residential and commercial projects, many of which will be referenced in the exhibit. Kenyon’s early education is described, and his travels through Europe and the United States are documented by many of his architectural sketches. His widow, Theo Jean, a well-known journalist, donated funds for the elevator addition to the GAR Hall in her husband’s name in 2015. Les Kenyon and the Kottemanns were both members of the Unitarian Universalist Church and involved in the construction of a new sanctuary when Methodist Hospital took over the church’s historic property on Main Street. The men worked together to incorporate the stained glass windows of the earlier structure into the newer one. They encouraged others to join them in the Peoria City Beautiful effort. They also worked together on the renovation of the Peoria Art Guild’s current facility, and Kenyon designed the Kottemann’s residence on Bigelow Blvd. in 1965, which they filled with works by an impressive list of 20th century artists, especially sculptors and glass artists; photos of many of those artworks will be part of the exhibit. George Kottemann worked as an orthodontist in Peoria for 38 years. He and his wife, Norma, were involved with many cultural endeavors and service organizations, especially as they supported the fine arts. The George Rickey kinetic sculpture now located near the baggage claim area of Peoria International Airport was donated by the Kottemann’s to the Airport Authority. They funded the Kottemann Gallery of Dentistry at the University of Illinois Dental School (Chicago) and the Sculpture Studio at Bradley University. Kottemann worked with sculptor Nita Sunderland on many projects and she reciprocated by helping to site works in his sculpture garden. The Kottemanns were recognized as Arts Partners of the Year in 2008. Following his retirement, Kottemann volunteered with teams of other experts identifying remains following airplane, automobile and other accidents. He served following the collapse of the World Trade Center on 9/11. He also honed his skills at fundraising for many organizations, including the University of Illinois Foundation and art efforts in Peoria. Concrete results of these efforts include the Foster Arts Center/Peoria Art Guild building and the Portal sculpture downtown. The exhibit is free and open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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Febr
uary
CALENDAR
February
February
Monday, February 1
ALL LOCATIONS Black History Book Display
MAIN LIBRARY, LAKEVIEW BRANCH, & LINCOLN BRANCH 1 to 1 Tech Help
LAKEVIEW BRANCH Groundhog Day Coloring Contest – 10:00 a.m.-7:45 p.m.
February is Black History Month. Come check out everything from great fiction to history to biographies on our display tables at each location.
Have you ever wished you had your own personal technology guru to help you? Schedule a “1 to 1 Tech Help” session at the library! You pick a time slot that works with your schedule and provide some information about the computer or device you would like help with. At the meeting, a librarian will be ready to help and focus on you. Drop in or call the Main Library, Lakeview Branch, or Lincoln Branch to schedule your session in advance.
Pick up our special Groundhog Day coloring contest sheet at the Information Desk. Return your finished masterpiece with your name and phone number written on the back to be entered into a drawing to win a goody bag with cookies, stickers, bookmarks, and pencils. Crayons will be available in the Storytime Room. The contest is open to children 0 to 13.
February
LAKEVIEW BRANCH – 10:15-10:45 A.M. Tiny Tots Storytime
February ALL LOCATIONS Cozy Up With a Book Winter Reading Program
Cozy up this winter with some fantastic books! Pick up a chart at any location, or print a copy from home. Bring your chart in each week through February 29 to win a prize. For each week you get your chart stamped, you receive an entry into a grand prize drawing to win a Kindle Paperwhite. If you like, you can choose reading challenges from our display and earn extra entries upon completion of the challenge. Grand prize drawing will be held on March 2. Ages birth to adult. February MAIN LIBRARY GALLERY Two Men Who Made a Difference in Peoria: Les Kenyon & George Kottemann
Kenyon was a well known architect with a prolific career in Peoria. He may be best known for his work in preservation but he designed many residences and commercial buildings throughout the area. Kottemann was a collector of art. He filled his dental office and home with major work. Together these men influenced the art and architecture of Peoria. February MAIN LIBRARY WHEELER CASE LL2 Celebrate Black History Month with this display.
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of programs and events
LAKEVIEW BRANCH Candy Bar Contest
Can you name some candy bars by looking at a photo of a cross section of what’s inside? Stop by the information desk to try and guess the candy bars during the month of February. A drawing will be held from the correct entries and the winner will get to take home all 10 candy bars (fully wrapped of course). One guess per person. February MAIN LIBRARY Crafts-to-Go
In a hurry? Can’t stay and craft? Get your crafts to go. Kids ages 5 through 12 can pick up a craft packet at the 1st Floor Information Desk. February 1-27 MCCLURE BRANCH Black History Month Trivia
See if you know the answers to our Black History trivia questions. Enter your answers into a drawing for a Barnes & Noble gift card.
Monday, February 1, 8, 22 & 29 NORTH BRANCH – 10:30-11:00 A.M.
Wednesday, Feb. 3, 10, 17 & 24 Ages 12 to 23 months. Monday, February 1 LINCOLN BRANCH Front & Center: Dewey’s Amazing Race – 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Have fun learning the Dewey Decimal System by taking a trip around the “World of Dewey”. Participants will be able to work as a team or individually and discover the many themes categorized through this magnificent system. Grades 3 and 4. Tuesday, February 2 LINCOLN BRANCH 100th Day of School Celebration – 10:00-11:00 a.m. & 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Stories, games, crafts, and activities for all grade levels. 10:00-11:00 a.m. – Preschool 4:00-6:00 p.m. – Primary and Middle School 6:00-8:00 p.m. – Open Mic Night for High School students featuring a DJ with a special performance by R.A.W. Talent – Real Ambitious Writers
Tuesday, February 2, 9, 16 & 23
Thursday, Feb. 4, 11, 18 & 25
Monday, February 8
LAKEVIEW BRANCH Owlet Storytime – 10:30-11:00 a.m.
LINCOLN BRANCH Celebrate Black History Month in Film – 4:00-5:30 p.m.
LAKEVIEW BRANCH Sci Fi & Fantasy Book Club – 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Bring your little owls to a storytime for all ages including songs, movement, and coloring.
February 4: Separate But Equal February 11: Lean on Me February 18: Annie (2014) February 25: 42 Refreshments will be served!
This month: Genocide of One by Kazuaki Takano
This month: Citizens of London by Lynne Olson
Friday, February 5, 12, 19 & 26
Tuesday, February 2, 9, 16 & 23
We’re learning the alphabet! Join us for letter-themed stories, songs, and crafts as we focus on learning the shapes of letters and the sounds they make!
Join us for a picture book party! We’ll enjoy stories, songs, and a craft! Wear your pajamas and bring a blanket to bundle up --- you’ll be ready for bed when you head home!
Tuesday, February 2 LAKEVIEW BRANCH Bibliophiles Book Club – 1:30-3:00 pm
LAKEVIEW BRANCH After School Homework Help – 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Bring your homework and assignments to our after school homework help hour to work in groups or alone on assignments. A staff member will be on hand to assist with research and library resources. For grades 2 through 6. Wednesday, Feb. 3, 10, 17 & 24 MAIN LIBRARY Celebrate Black History Month in Film – 3:00-5:00 p.m.
February 3: To Kill a Mockingbird February 10: A Raisin in the Sun February 17: Get On Up February 24: Hotel Rwanda Refreshments will be served! Thursday, February 4 MCCLURE BRANCH Valentine’s Fun Time Storytime – 10:0010:30 am
Join us for a special Valentine’s Day storytime with stories and crafts. Thursday, Feb. 4, 11, 18 & 25 NORTH BRANCH Tadpoles Storytime – 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Ages 2 to 3. Thursday, February 4 LINCOLN BRANCH TNT Game Night – 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Teens ages 12 to 18, come and get your game on! We’ll have word games to boggle your brain, minute to win it challenges, traditional board games if you like to roll old school, and more! Show off your mad gaming skills, enjoy snacks, meet new people, and just hang out! Thursday Nights Are For Teens!
NORTH BRANCH A-Z Storytime – 3:00-3:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 6 NORTH BRANCH Chocolate Tasting – 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Chocolate is one of our most beloved foods, but where does it come from? How is it made? All ages are invited to learn these answers and more as we sample different kinds of chocolate.
Monday, February 8 NORTH BRANCH Pajama Storytime – 7:00-7:45 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday, Feb. 9&11 LINCOLN BRANCH Puppet Show: “Witch’s Valentine” – 10:00-10:30 a.m.
Come help Witch celebrate Valentine’s Day! Ages 3 to 6. Tuesday, February 9, 16 & 23 LINCOLN BRANCH Terrific Tattletale Storytime – 10:00-10:30 a.m.
Saturday, February 6
Ages 3 to 6.
LAKEVIEW BRANCH From the Screen to the Stage – 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 9
Watch the movie at the library and then see the live stage performance at Peoria Players Theatre. Join us this month for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (rated R). We will be raffling off a gift certificate good for two free tickets to The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at Peoria Players! Saturday, February 6 MAIN LIBRARY The Big Read: Peoria Reads Film Showing and Discussion of We Were Soldiers – 1:30-4:30 p.m.
The story of the first major battle of the American phase of the Vietnam War and the soldiers, on both sides, that fought it. Rated R. 138 minutes. Stars Mel Gibson and Madeline Stowe. Directed by Randall Wallace. Monday, February 8 LAKEVIEW BRANCH Chinese New Year Craft – 4:00-5:00 pm
Come celebrate Chinese New Year, The Year of the Monkey, by making an origami monkey.
LINCOLN BRANCH TAB @ Lincoln (Teen Advisory Board) – 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Help to make your library an awesome place to be! Teens ages 12-18 are invited to join us to discuss books, movies and music; share ideas; plan teen library programs and projects; enjoy snacks; and just have fun! We need your brilliance, creativity, and enthusiasm! Your thoughts and ideas matter! Tuesday, February 9 LINCOLN BRANCH Front & Center: Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Celebration – 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Celebrate Mardi Gras with fun crafts, food, and activities. Grades 5 and 6. Tuesday, February 9 LAKEVIEW BRANCH 1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Club – 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Have you seen the book 1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die? Stop by to see a movie from a different decade featured in the revised and updated edition of 1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die. This month: Shaft (R, 1971).
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Calendar Continued Wednesday, February 10
Sunday, February 14
Tuesday, February 16
NORTH BRANCH – 10:00-11:00 A.M.
NORTH BRANCH Biography & Non-fiction Book Club – 3:00-5:00 p.m.
LAKEVIEW BRANCH YA for Adults Book Club – 6:30-7:30 pm
Tuesday, February 23 LAKEVIEW BRANCH – 2:30-3:30 P.M. Coloring Club for Adults
Come enjoy the latest stress-busting trend for grown-ups – good old-fashioned coloring. We will have a quiet space, beautiful patterns, and a variety of coloring utensils (or feel free to bring your own). We ask for no children in the room as this is for adults only! Wednesday, February 10 LAKEVIEW BRANCH Valentine’s Day Box – 4:00-5:00 pm
Come color and decorate a Monster Valentine’s Day box to hold your Valentines this year. While supplies last. Thursday, February 11 LINCOLN BRANCH Anti-Valentine’s Day – 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Love stinks! Teens ages 12 to 18 can uncelebrate Valentine’s Day with cranky crafts, moody music, and spiteful snacks. Saturday, February 13 NORTH BRANCH Math Challenge – 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Experience the joy of math by visiting the Beehive for a fun self-guided math challenge. Challenges will be geared toward students in grade three and up. Drop in any time. While supplies last. Saturday, February 13 MCCLURE BRANCH–10:00AM-5:00PM LINCOLN BRANCH – 12:00-5:00 PM Valentine’s Day Make It! Take It!
This month: If I Die in a Combat Zone: Box Me Up and Ship Me Home by Tim O’Brien
In honor of
PRESIDENTS’ DAY All locations will be closed
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15 North Branch always closed Tuesday
Tuesday, February 16 LINCOLN BRANCH Front & Center: DIY Fleece Pillow Gift – 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Come make a craft for Valentine’s Day. While supplies last. Saturday, February 13
Tuesday, February 16
Ages 8 to 14 can join us for an afternoon of Minecraft in the computer lab. Space is limited, so call 497-2600 to register.
LAKEVIEW BRANCH Mom’s Night Out – 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Make your own natural spa goodies! You’ll be able to take your spa goodies with you to have a spa day at home.
Saturday, February 13 MAIN LIBRARY Play to Innovate – 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Many studies are showing that a little bit of downtime at work helps adults with creativity and innovation on the job. We would like to help you become more innovative with a series of playful programs designed to help you relax, have fun, and potentially think of your next great idea.
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Thursday, February 18 MCCLURE BRANCH Disney Stories Fun Time Storytime – 10:00-10:30 a.m.
Join us for a special Disney storytime with stories and crafts. Thursday, February 18 NORTH BRANCH Teen Group – 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Something is happening in the library! It could be a movie, a game, a class, or a book discussion, but you’ll have to show up to find out! Grades 6 to 12. Thursday, February 18 NORTH BRANCH Third Thursday Film Fest–2:00-5:00 pm
Join us on the third Thursday of each month for a different film released in the 1960’s. Bring a snack and enjoy an oldie but goodie on the big screen. This month: The Odd Couple (1968, G) Thursday, February 18
Join us for our fleece pillow making workshop. All handmade pillows will be donated to OSF Children’s Hospital packaged with love and hopes for a speedy recovery. Grades 7 and 8.
LINCOLN BRANCH Minecraft – 2:00-5:00 p.m.
This month: Rabbit in Red by Joe Chianakas
LINCOLN BRANCH Tween/Teen Writers Group (TWG) – 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Words spilling out of your brain? Stories and characters scrawled across your school notebooks? Sometimes get lost for hours in a world of your own creation? Ever read something and thought, “I could’ve written that!” If so, then you need to join us for TWG! Come and meet other writers, discuss story ideas, get writing tips, enjoy snacks, and share your work. Write on! Friday, February 19 LAKEVIEW BRANCH LEGO Builders Club – 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Calling all LEGO fans! Join us at Lakeview Branch for our Lego Builders Club. Drop in any time to play. Parental supervision is required. Saturday, February 20 MAIN LIBRARY Minecraft – 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Play to Innvovate
Ages 8 to 14 are invited to join us for 3 hours of uninterrupted play. Space is limited, so please call 497-2150 to register.
Saturday, February 20
Tuesday, February 23
LAKEVIEW BRANCH Settlers of Catan Tournament – 10:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
LINCOLN BRANCH Read On Book Club – 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Join other Settlers of Catan fanatics to see who has what it takes to be crowned the victor in our tournament. Ages 16+ Saturday, February 20 NORTH BRANCH Taste of China – 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Join us for a presentation to introduce traditional Chinese culture through Shen Yun, a traditional classical Chinese dance and music show that captures the spirit of a culture long lost, presented by Professor Feng from the University of Illinois. Enjoy a performance of a traditional Chinese Instrument, try your hand at Classical Chinese calligraphy, and take a taste of China through Chinese tea and snacks. Sunday, February 21 LAKEVIEW BRANCH Book ‘Em Mystery Book Club – 2:00-3:00 p.m.
This month: Under the Knife by Tess Gerritsen Sunday, February 21 NORTH BRANCH The Big Read: Peoria Reads Film Showing and Discussion of Good Morning Vietnam – 1:30-4:30 p.m.
A new disc jockey is shipped from Crete to Vietnam to bring humor to Armed Forces Radio. Rated R. 121 minutes. Starring Robin Williams. Directed by Barry Levinson.
This month: Ruby by Cynthia Bond Wednesday, February 24 LAKEVIEW BRANCH Club Read – 6:30-7:30 p.m.
This month: The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien Sunday, February 28 NORTH BRANCH Music in the McKenzie Presents: Random Strangers – 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Chuck Mahieu and Steve Fairbanks have been inspired by the bands and songs of the British invasion era, the psychedelic 60s and the folkie 70s. Their set list includes songs by The Beatles, Neil Young, The Kinks, Bob Dylan, Lovin’ Spoonful and more. A portion of CD sales support The Friends of Peoria Public Library. At this event, pick up a copy of the 2016 The Big Read: Peoria Reads book, The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien and an events list. Both 17th Congressional District Congresswoman Cheri Bustos and City of Peoria Councilman Eric Turner are scheduled to introduce Peoria Reads 2016 and comment on its significance to Peorians. Sunday, February 28 LAKEVIEW BRANCH Silver Screen Sundays – 2:00-4:00 p.m.
This month: The Apartment starring Jack Lemmon and directed by Billy Wilder
Monday, February 29
LINCOLN BRANCH Feathered Friend Birdhouse Craft – 5:00-6:00 p.m.
February is National Bird Feeding Month! Join us as we tell the tale of Riki’s Birdhouse and make bird feeders.
What’s Trending?
At Peoria Public Library FICTION BOOKS
All Dressed in White: an Under Suspicion Novel by Mary Higgins Clark Ashley Bell: a Novel by Dean Koontz Away in a Manger by Rhys Bowen Bi-satisfied by Nikki-Michelle Born at Dawn by Nigeria Lockley The Candy Cane Cupcake Killer by Livia J. Washburn Carl Weber’s Kingpins: Miami by Nikki Turner NON-FICTION BOOKS
Above the Line: Lessons in Leadership and Life from a Championship Season by Urban Meyer Almost Interesting: the Memoir by David Spade American Hunter: How Legendary Hunters Shaped America by Willie Robertson Being Nixon: a Man Divided by Evan Thomas Bob Dylan: All the Songs: the Story Behind Every Track by Philippe Margotin The Boundaries of Desire: a Century of Bad Laws, Good Sex, and Changing Identities by Eric Berkowitz YOUNG ADULT BOOKS
Battle of the Ampere by Richard Paul Evans Black Water by D. J. MacHale Blood and Salt by Kim Liggett Cinder by Marissa Meyer Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas MOVIES
American Ultra Dope Dragon Ball Z. Resurrection ‘F’ The Gift Jurassic World The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
For more of what’s trending, vist: peoriapubliclibrary.org/whats-trending
Mark Your Calendar! Coming to Peoria Public Library Main Library June 17 – July 14 With Programs by Smithsonian Staff and Local Scientists. Credit: Smithsonian’s Human Origins Program Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human? was organized by the NMNH in collaboration with the ALA Public Programs Office. This project was made possible through the support of a grant from the John Templeton Foundation and support from the Peter Buck Human Origins Fund.
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March Book Clubs
Join a book club at Peoria Public Library this month. New members are always welcome!
At Peoria Public Library
2016 Read the book Peoria Reads!
Peoria Reads! Peoria Reads! 2016 is funded by The Big Read. The annual One City One Book reading and discussion program strives to create understanding of important issues by having everyone read one significant book. More information about a multitude of events Presented by and book discussions is available at peoriareads.org. The Big Read is a program of the National Peoria Public Library & Common Place Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
and get involved!
The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien depicts the men of Alpha Company: Jimmy Cross, Henry Dobbins, Rat Kiley, Mitchell Sanders, Norman Bowker, Kiowa, and the character Tim O’Brien, who has survived his tour in Vietnam to become a father and writer at the age of 43. A classic work of American literature that has not stopped changing minds and lives since it burst onto the literary scene, The Things They Carried is a ground-breaking meditation on war, memory, imagination, and the redemptive power of storytelling.
The Biography and Non-Fiction Book Club will meet on Sunday, March 13 at 3:00 p.m. at North Branch to discuss The Birth of the Pill: How Four Crusaders Reinvented Sex and Launched a Revolution by Jonathan Eig. We know it simply as “the pill,” yet its genesis was anything but simple. Jonathan Eig’s masterful narrative revolves around four principal characters: the fiery feminist Margaret Sanger, who was a champion of birth control in her campaign for the rights of women but neglected her own children in pursuit of free love; the beautiful Katharine McCormick, who owed her fortune to her wealthy husband, the son of the founder of International Harvester and a schizophrenic; the visionary scientist Gregory Pincus, who was dismissed by Harvard in the 1930s as a result of his experimentation with in vitro fertilization but who, after he was approached by Sanger and McCormick, grew obsessed with the idea of inventing a drug that could stop ovulation; and the telegenic John Rock, a Catholic doctor from Boston who battled his own church to become an enormously effective advocate in the effort to win public approval for the drug that would be & non-fiction marketed by Searle as Enovid. book group
Intercontinental Readers will meet Tuesday, March 22 at 1:00 p.m. to discuss The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien.
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Club Read will meet on Wednesday, March 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Lakeview Branch to discuss Before I Go To Sleep by SJ Watson. Every day Christine wakes up not knowing where she is. Her memories disappear every time she falls asleep. Her husband, Ben, is a stranger to her, and he’s obligated to explain their life together on a daily basis--all the result of a mysterious accident that made Christine an amnesiac. With the encouragement of her doctor, Christine starts a journal to help jog her memory every day. One morning, she opens it and sees that she’s written three unexpected and terrifying words: “Don’t trust Ben.”
The Bibliophiles Book Club will meet on Tuesday, March 1 at 1:30 p.m. at Lakeview Branch to discuss July, July by Tim O’Brien, author of this year’s Peoria Reads choice The Things They Carried. At the thirtieth reunion of the Darton Hall College class of 1969, ten old friends join their classmates for a summer weekend of dancing, drinking, flirting, reminiscing, and regret. The three decades since graduation have brought marriage and divorce, children and careers, hopes deferred and replaced. July, July tells the heart-rending and often hilarious story of men and women who came into adulthood at a moment when American ideals and innocence began to fade. These lives will ring familiar to anyone who has dreamed, worked, and struggled to keep course toward a happy ending.
The Book ‘Em Mystery Book Club will meet on Sunday, March 20 at 2:00 p.m. at Lakeview Branch to discuss Grift Sense by James Swain. Grift Sense is a flashy, funny novel about a cool scam to break the bank at a Las Vegas casino. When Nick Nicocropolis gets wind that someone is out to bring down his establishment, the grandly named but barely solvent Acropolis, he does the smart thing by calling in Tony Valentine, an ex-cop with a nose for a good grift. ‘’I can feel when a hustle’s going down, even if I don’t know exactly what it is,’’ says Tony, who tests his instinct against his database of some 5,000 known hustlers and comes up with the profile of a dead man. (So much for science.) Although it’s slightly maddening to watch Tony conducting off-thepremises research when he could be walking us through some of the other swindles going down on the casino floor, Swain knows how to misdirect the eye during the deal.
The Sci-Fi Fantasy Book Club will meet on Monday, March 14 at Lakeview Branch at 6:30 p.m. to discuss The Three Body Problem by Cizin Liu. The Three-Body Problem is the first chance for Englishspeaking readers to experience this multiple award winning phenomenon from China’s most beloved science fiction author, Liu Cixin. Set against the backdrop of China’s Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt, or to fight against the invasion. The result is a science fiction masterpiece of enormous scope and vision.
The YA Book Club for Adults will meet on Tuesday, February 17 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss March 24 – Serpentine by Cindy Pon Serpentine is a sweeping fantasy set in the ancient Kingdom of Xia and inspired by the rich history of Chinese mythology. Lush with details from Chinese folklore, Serpentine tells the coming of age story of Skybright, a young girl who worries about her growing otherness. As she turns sixteen, Skybright notices troubling changes. By day, she is a companion and handmaid to the youngest daughter of a very wealthy family. But nighttime brings with it a darkness that not even daybreak can quell. When her plight can no longer be denied, Skybright learns that despite a dark destiny, she must struggle to retain her sense of self – even as she falls in love for the first time.
The Read on Book Club will meet on Tuesday, March 22 at 5:30 p.m. at Lincoln Branch to discuss Best Friends Forever by Kimberla Lawson Roby. Things are falling apart in the Richardson household. Angry arguments between Celine and her husband, Keith, have become routine. She resents that he’s working long hours and staying out all night, and he accuses her of not giving him the attention he deserves. Their marriage is at a cross-roads and Celine worries how her 10-yearold daughter, Kassie, will be affected. But the situation turns devastating when Celine is diagnosed with breast cancer. As her relationship with Keith deteriorates, Celine worries that she’ll be left to navigate the difficult process of cancer treatment alone. But comfort and support come in the form of Celine’s best friend, Lauren. They’ve been attached at the hip since they were children and it is Lauren who’s there for Celine in her darkest moments.
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES Edward J. Barry, Jr. Stephen M. Buck Margaret E. Cousin Lucy D. Gulley F. Eugene Rebholz Debbie Ritschel Barbara Van Auken Jeanne Williamson DIRECTOR Leann Johnson EDITOR Trisha Noack DESIGNER Laura Fehr
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